Almost 1.3 million people have gained access to drinking water in the past seven years thanks to the Mother's Water Cellar national charity project.

 

More than 100,000 water cellars and 1,200 water supply facilities have been built in 23 provinces, said officials with the All-China Women's Federation.

 

The Mother's Water Cellar scheme was launched by the All-China Women's Federation and the China Women Development Fund in 2000.

 

Last year China built almost 30,000 new water cellars to ease water shortages in the country's poor and arid areas.

 

About 270 million yuan (US$35.5 million) has been invested in the project.

 

In China's northwestern regions, the annual precipitation is about 300 millimeters, only half the national average. Building cellars to collect rainwater has been a long-standing practice. A decent water cellar costing around 1,000 yuan can guarantee drinking water supplies for a family.

 

China has pledged to build a water-saving society and curb water pollution as parts of the country experience water shortages and a possible water crisis, while other regions enjoy soaring economic growth.

 

(Xinhua News Agency June 30, 2007)